By Shawn Henry 
A suspect is in custody following a dramatic Christmas Day incident in Seattle in which authorities say a Washington State Patrol trooper was pulled from her vehicle and her marked patrol cruiser was stolen, setting off a multi-agency pursuit along Interstate 5.
According to the Washington State Patrol, troopers were responding to reports of a man running repeatedly across all lanes of Interstate 5, creating a serious hazard for drivers on one of the region’s busiest highways. A patrol lieutenant located the man while attempting to manage the safety concern.
Investigators said the situation escalated quickly. As the lieutenant encountered the suspect, he allegedly entered the patrol car, forcibly removed the trooper from the driver’s seat, pushed her onto the roadway, and drove away in the cruiser. Video later surfaced appearing to capture the confrontation and the moment the suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
The theft prompted an immediate pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Seattle Police Department. Authorities said the suspect initially drove northbound before turning back south. The chase ended in Lynnwood, where troopers used their vehicles to strike the stolen patrol car and force it to stop.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest once the vehicle was disabled. Officers deployed a Taser before taking him into custody. He was later identified as Alexander Eugene Smith.
Jail records show Smith was booked on suspicion of multiple felony charges, including eluding law enforcement, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer, and driving under the influence. Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood draw and believe impairment may have played a role, though toxicology results have not yet been released.
Authorities said the trooper involved sustained minor injuries. No members of the public were seriously hurt, though several vehicles were damaged during efforts to stop the stolen cruiser.
The Washington State Patrol noted that incidents of this nature often involve individuals experiencing distress and emphasized that protecting public safety remains the top priority. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
All parties are innocent unless proven guilty.